Aura to raise prospects in Caloundra: Chamber of Commerce

KEY members of the nearest chamber of commerce to the upcoming Aura development have spoken of the possibilities opened up by the Coast's newest city.

Caloundra Chamber of Commerce president Michael Shadforth said he felt the announcement of the green light for the $5 billion development that would deliver homes to 50,000 people was a fantastic outcome.

"It's at the top of world's best thinking and world's best practice on how to build a sustainable community," the Sunshine Coast Chambers of Commerce Alliance president and managing director of Ray White Commercial North Coast Central said.

Mr Shadforth said aspects of the project, including the regional sports facility, were massive bonuses for the whole region, not just the future residents of Aura.

"We'd never do it on our own but here's someone that'll build us one," he said.

Mr Shadforth believed that if delivered successfully, the region could become a living study on world-best design practices, attracting researchers from around the globe.

"What if they turn the light on the Coast as the place that cares for the environment more than anywhere else?" he said.

"Imagine people coming from around the world to look at how we do things, to research what we do."

Mr Shadforth said he believed the development was a further sign of the Coast maturing.

Caloundra Chamber of Commerce tourism and events chair Bill Darby said he was pleased at the acknowledgment of the large number of community groups involved in the process to reach launch phase for Aura, and believed the announcement would strengthen the Coast's case for major infrastructure improvements.

"It (Aura) really leaves them (State and Federal governments) no option but to fast-track major infrastructure to the Coast," he said.

Mr Darby said he expected the beachfront hospitality precinct of Caloundra to directly benefit from the massive, 30-year project as future residents used the beaches on offer nearby.

"It (Aura) will automatically attract the confidence of new investment (in the Caloundra beachfronts)," he said.